Chipped 944 s2 or 944 Turbo
Discussion
You may want to take a look at this thread:
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=166580&f=48&h=0
I have been seriously considering upgrades for my S2 including supercharging it.
However, the concensus seems to be that the turbo route gets you more power cheaper and easier.
As it happens my plans may well change and I'll go the 993 route after all, in which case my (very very nice, in my totally unbiased opinion of course
) S2 will be up for sale.
Dan
PS Sadly search seems to be down at the mo, but you will find a ton of thoughts on this subject, somewhere in this forum.
www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=166580&f=48&h=0
I have been seriously considering upgrades for my S2 including supercharging it.
However, the concensus seems to be that the turbo route gets you more power cheaper and easier.
As it happens my plans may well change and I'll go the 993 route after all, in which case my (very very nice, in my totally unbiased opinion of course
) S2 will be up for sale. Dan
PS Sadly search seems to be down at the mo, but you will find a ton of thoughts on this subject, somewhere in this forum.
Thanks Dan, I have yet to buy my first Porsche, but it looks like you are well on your way to buying one of my favouries - the 993!
Whats the "real world" performance of your s2 like? Passing traffic at 70mph easy with a blip of the throttle?
Whats the mileage on your car? Have you made any modifications so far?
Whats the "real world" performance of your s2 like? Passing traffic at 70mph easy with a blip of the throttle?
Whats the mileage on your car? Have you made any modifications so far?
I would say the S2 is quick rather than fast. Nice smooth power delivery and relaxing to drive because of the good low down and midrange torque, making it a very nice road car. I've not driven a turbo but from what I've heard, it is slightly slower when off boost because of the lower compression ratio/capacity and higher gearing, but once over the lag, it is much quicker! 
S2 is a great car and easy to drive in all conditions.
7 sec to 60 and 145mph + (not exactly fast, but definitely entertaining).
You can get a few more horses with a chip (27bhp ??) on top of the 211 as standard.
Turbos are great. 220 or 250. Quicker IMHO but can be a handful in the wet and certainly no faster on the track in standard form.
Either way both are fun cars and a good way to start Porsche ownership.
Cheers
7 sec to 60 and 145mph + (not exactly fast, but definitely entertaining).
You can get a few more horses with a chip (27bhp ??) on top of the 211 as standard.
Turbos are great. 220 or 250. Quicker IMHO but can be a handful in the wet and certainly no faster on the track in standard form.
Either way both are fun cars and a good way to start Porsche ownership.
Cheers
I would agree not blistering fast, but really smooth. Certainly plenty fast enough in normal driving/traffic.
And the handling is sublime.
No mods, a couple of cosmetic changes: club sport steering wheel (the standard one is pretty ugly); stainless sill trims; and the useless casstte holder in the centre console has been replaced by an oddments tray.
Dan
And the handling is sublime.
No mods, a couple of cosmetic changes: club sport steering wheel (the standard one is pretty ugly); stainless sill trims; and the useless casstte holder in the centre console has been replaced by an oddments tray.
Dan
slim_boy_fat said:
danww said:
in my totally unbiased opinion of course
Dan
Just to balance it up you might want to check out the classifieds, theres a mint 330bhp turbo for sale..
Very nice.
Exactly the same colour scheme as mine. Edited to say: you really need to drive them both and see which you prefer. Don't know where you are but I'm sure some people on here would be happy to introduce you to the pleasures of 944 (and 951) motoring.
>> Edited by danww on Wednesday 27th April 21:20
Wealth of information there, you won't find that in books! Many thanks.
Don't know if I am being a tad slow on the uptake, but I can't find the 330bhp Turbo? Any got a link?
Surely 330bhp makes the car tricky to handle? I love driving my B roads, and plan to make frequent trips out of lonodon for the weekends. I need a car that can do both. Is a 330 bhp 944 T a bit too much muscle?
Don't know if I am being a tad slow on the uptake, but I can't find the 330bhp Turbo? Any got a link?
Surely 330bhp makes the car tricky to handle? I love driving my B roads, and plan to make frequent trips out of lonodon for the weekends. I need a car that can do both. Is a 330 bhp 944 T a bit too much muscle?
its this one:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=41075&s=81
top of the 944 classifieds.
And I would imagine it is a BLAST!
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=41075&s=81
top of the 944 classifieds.
And I would imagine it is a BLAST!
I think the S2 would be better for tight B roads actually. To drive within the distance you can see to be clear, taking account of blind bends, horses, cyclists etc. you are often below 60mph a lot of the time anyway, in 2nd/3rd/4th gear. I'd find a turbo rather tiring to drive in these circumstances, even the S2 feels too quick a lot of the time, but at least you can feel the advantage of the low down torque!
That's why I got a Spitfire - you can use a lot more of its 'performance' and still be going pretty slowly!
That's why I got a Spitfire - you can use a lot more of its 'performance' and still be going pretty slowly!
danww said:
its this one:
www.pistonheads.com/sales/detail.asp?i=41075&s=81
top of the 944 classifieds.
And I would imagine it is a BLAST!
Its way way past blast, lots of smiles per mile.
AJLintern said:
but at least you can feel the advantage of the low down torque!
Fact or fiction, the rason the S2 feel quick in lower gears is becasue of the gearing nothing to do with any extra low down torque. A turbo with suitable mods will be quicker on all points from 1st gear to 5th.
I just drove 100miles alone the old A74(B7076) in torrential rain and at no point was i ever worried about the turbo kicking in a wrong time. And an S2 would have struggled to stay in touch....
I think you should buy what you find in good condition at the right price. Both have their pros and cons.
The turbo is definitely the tuning choice. But here's a little tale from shortly after I got mine (a 220bhp 1987). It's dark and raining as I head up a slip road off the M1 to take a left, approaching the roundabout, I see a car coming round. No problem - foot down. Nothing.... waaaahhhhh... boost ... rotated >90 degrees now travelling sideways around the roundabout. Thankfully caught it. I don't want to ponder my driving talents... but I was completely unprepared. Turbos take a bit of getting used to.
I also agree with the comments about B roads -which would probably apply to S2 and turbos. You often don't get to stretch those turbo legs. It really needs a challenging A road.
What suprised me about S2s was how they DIDN'T feel too torquey. You have to use the revs. But thats what partly what makes them so forgiving. In comparison once the boost hits 3000rpm has plenty of life.
On balance, as long as you don't want to go REALLY fast, the S2 is better. But in practice, buy what you find. If it's a turbo, just budget for that £600 or so upgrade (+50bhp, +70lb ft). Then you won't care about the S2 you didn't find!
The turbo is definitely the tuning choice. But here's a little tale from shortly after I got mine (a 220bhp 1987). It's dark and raining as I head up a slip road off the M1 to take a left, approaching the roundabout, I see a car coming round. No problem - foot down. Nothing.... waaaahhhhh... boost ... rotated >90 degrees now travelling sideways around the roundabout. Thankfully caught it. I don't want to ponder my driving talents... but I was completely unprepared. Turbos take a bit of getting used to.
I also agree with the comments about B roads -which would probably apply to S2 and turbos. You often don't get to stretch those turbo legs. It really needs a challenging A road.
What suprised me about S2s was how they DIDN'T feel too torquey. You have to use the revs. But thats what partly what makes them so forgiving. In comparison once the boost hits 3000rpm has plenty of life.
On balance, as long as you don't want to go REALLY fast, the S2 is better. But in practice, buy what you find. If it's a turbo, just budget for that £600 or so upgrade (+50bhp, +70lb ft). Then you won't care about the S2 you didn't find!
ambrose said:
But here's a little tale from shortly after I got mine (a 220bhp 1987). It's dark and raining as I head up a slip road off the M1 to take a left, approaching the roundabout, I see a car coming round. No problem - foot down. Nothing.... waaaahhhhh... boost ... rotated >90 degrees now travelling sideways around the roundabout. Thankfully caught it. I don't want to ponder my driving talents... but I was completely unprepared. Turbos take a bit of getting used to.
Sorry, but any 200lbft rear wheel drive car in the wet will do that, not the cars fault just a simple case of clumsy driving.
name said:
Considering buying either a s2 and chipping it or a 944 Turbo.
Any suggestions?
Pros and cons of chipping? Good chips?
Way to enhance performance without silly risks/damage?
Later!
speed.deman,
I bought an s2 just over a year ago. I use it as my everyday car. I chipped the car for a mere £100. (From www.promaxmotorsport.com ) The chip made a huge difference in the lower/mid range. Fuel economy mostly uneffected. Best £100 I have spent on the car!
I've been thinking about adding a sports exaust and a decat pipe in the near future . It shouldn't be much slower than a turbo then i'm hoping.
I've been putting it off as I'm currently thinking of changing cars. Still undecided. Where abouts in the country are you based?
Interesting. Posted on 'barge pole' also. Agree with all thats been said. Tried turbo, didnt like the lag, but then i'm propably not a 'driver'. I'd think country roads more relaxed in S2. Never found it lacking in 'go' for quick overtaking myself.
On motorways 944's obviously not anything like as fast as silver coloured vetras or the people carriers you run into the back of in the outside lane that don't move over, but there's quite enough power to undertake them easily in the gaps.
Ps Road Angel and good eyesight absolutely essential!
On motorways 944's obviously not anything like as fast as silver coloured vetras or the people carriers you run into the back of in the outside lane that don't move over, but there's quite enough power to undertake them easily in the gaps.
Ps Road Angel and good eyesight absolutely essential!
I am based in London. I want a car that makes me smile, and a 944 is the car for me at the moment, I am only 26!
I think a Turbo or a well chipped S2 is the solution.
Have had the privelege of driving a lot of quality cars, but interestingly the best handling car I have ever driven hard is a 1959 Lancia Flaminia Zagato (mine!). Can't wait to see how a 944 measures up, must be light years ahead...
What are the running costs for your S2 like?
I think a Turbo or a well chipped S2 is the solution.
Have had the privelege of driving a lot of quality cars, but interestingly the best handling car I have ever driven hard is a 1959 Lancia Flaminia Zagato (mine!). Can't wait to see how a 944 measures up, must be light years ahead...
What are the running costs for your S2 like?
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